MLS Power Rankings: Week 3

byThe YankonApril 14, 2008

MLS Power Rankings [04/14]

Chicago Fire [last week 4]: Last week I warned that if Barrett played well, the rest of the East would be toast. Well, a lone goal by Barrett lifted the Fire to the top of the league standings and to the top of these power rankings.

Colorado Rapids [last week 5]: The Rapids defense is perhaps the best in the league and the improvements on offense make this team scary whether at home or away. Look for this team to make quite a racket this year.

Chivas USA [last week 2]: Well, THAT was not the Goats we’re used to seeing. The normally tough-as-nails D looked rather pedestrian. Then again, Schelotto can do that to just about any team. I am betting the Goats bounce back.

Kansas City [last week 3]: A tough midweek loss left the Wiz looking tired on Saturday. However, the D still made the necessary plays to secure a tough 0-0 draw. This team will just not give up many goals this year, making them tough.

FC Dallas [last week 9]: Last week, I challenged the defense to step up, and it did by blanking the Red Bulls. Alvarez and Cooper have been burning (pun intended) defenses all season, and the Hoops look poised to compete in ’08.

Columbus Crew [last week 10]: Wow, this team was certainly underrated coming into the season. After three games, Columbus has two wins and the hottest youngster in the league in Robbie Rogers. Parity is a bitch, aint’ it?

DC United [last week 1]: Ugly, ugly loss to a fired up RSL. Sorry, DC fans, but offensive impotence is the leading cause of losses in MLS, and DCU may need a Viagra-like player acquisition in order to arouse its unusually dormant attack.

New England Revolution [last week 6]: Uh oh. The offense still looks ugly without Ralston and Twellman. The youngsters have speed, but lack of experience shows in close battles, and it showed against the Rapids on Saturday.

New York Red Bulls [last week 8]: Remember the movie Angels in the Outfield where the team couldn’t succeed without the Angels helping them? Well, NYRB can’t do it without their Angel either. His absence = 2-0 loss to Dallas.

Real Salt Lake [last week 12]: RSL looked great blanking DC. Beckerman, long known for his defensive prowess, looked downright determined to break DC on offense and did so with dual strikes. This team has improved ALOT.

Houston Dynamo [last week 7]: It’s high time for some changes on offense for the Dynamo. They are just not getting it done right now and Kinnear may need to send a message to guys like Ching that no one’s starting position is safe.

Toronto FC [last week 13]: What a win! Sure, it was against one of the worst defenses in the league, but the Reds will take it. The addition of Guevara helps alot (he notched an assist in the first half), but better defense is still needed.

Los Angeles Galaxy [last week 11]: Donovan and Beckham simply cannot carry this team (against anyone other than SJE), so this will be another long year for Galaxy fans. How do you give up 3 goals to TFC? Oh, that’s right. Greg Vanney is your shut down defender. Alexi should probably just start packing now.

San Jose Earthquakes [last week 14]: SJE needs to score a goal before they get moved out of this basement. I know, obvious statement. The defense though isn’t playing poorly, so at least the possibility of a 0-0 draw remains for Quakes’ fans.

Player of the Week for Week 3?

The Crew’s Guillermo Barros Schelotto. It was tough to choose Schelotto over Robbie Rogers, but Schellotto’s two assists and one PK goal were slightly more impressive than Rogers’ brace. If Schelotto continues to disperse the ball around so effectively, the Crew may emerge as the most dangerous team in what looks like a stacked Eastern conference.